On the occasion of ZAG’s 75th anniversary, a celebratory event was held at the Union Hotel, bringing together ZAG employees, collaborators, and distinguished guests. The event featured speeches by Assoc Dr Aleš Žnidarič, ZAG’s director, Prof José Torero from University College London, and Dr Vanja Samec, with the keynote address delivered by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr Igor Papič.

One of the key highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the prestigious TURNŠEK Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to ZAG’s research and development efforts. We are proud to announce that Dr Andrea Lucherini, a senior researcher from FRISSBE, was honored with the TURNŠEK Junior Award for his exceptional contributions to ZAG’s growth and recognition. This award celebrates employees under the age of 35 who have demonstrated remarkable research achievements, contributing to ZAG’s development and recognition through their dedicated work.

Dr Lucherini, alongside fellow awardees Dr Tadeja Kosec and Dr Andrej Anžlin, were recognized for their high-impact contributions to the institution. In addition, the lifetime achievement award was presented to Assoc Prof. Dr Andraž Legat for his long-standing excellence in scientific and development work at ZAG. The event also honored several institutions, including the National Institute of Chemistry and the Geological Survey of Slovenia, with the ZAG Badge of Honor for successful collaborations.